Omega-3 fatty acids may help lower oral inflammation, study reports

Lead author Dr Bushra Ahmad, assistant professor of periodontics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, told Dental Tribune International: “Our team was interested in investigating whether omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), could influence inflammatory pathways in both the oral cavity and the systemic circulation.”

She continued: “Although omega-3 fatty acids are recognised for their anti-inflammatory properties, their effects on oral inflammatory markers in humans have not been well established. This made the topic particularly relevant, as it may help us better understand whether a systemic nutritional intervention could complement established approaches to managing oral inflammation.”

The study involved 240 patients with stable coronary artery disease and who were undergoing statin therapy. For 30 months, patients received either a high-dose prescription formulation of EPA and DHA or no omega-3 supplementation. For the oral analysis, gingival crevicular fluid was collected from both maxillary quadrants. The researchers then compared the oral inflammatory markers in the fluid and systemic inflammatory markers in the blood between the test and control groups.

The analysis found that the omega-3 group had significantly lower levels of one oral inflammatory marker in the left quadrant. These patients also had a significantly lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, a marker of systemic inflammation that has been associated with cardiovascular outcomes. “The findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may have a potential role as an adjunct to established mechanical plaque control measures by helping reduce oral and systemic inflammation,” Dr Ahmad explained.

“Interestingly, the reduction in the oral inflammatory marker was observed on the left side but not the right. We proposed that toothbrushing behaviour and handedness might have contributed to this difference, as right-handed individuals may remove plaque more effectively from the left side,” Dr Ahmad commented. She added that, since handedness was not recorded in the study, this explanation should be considered exploratory and requires further investigation.

The study forms part of broader collaborative research exploring the relationship between periodontal and systemic health. Through several ongoing projects, the researchers are examining how periodontitis and oral inflammation may be linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive function and systemic inflammation. “Our goal is to contribute to a more integrated understanding of oral health as an important component of overall health,” Dr Ahmad said.

Other nutritional approaches to modulating oral inflammation are also being explored. Dental Tribune International has recently reported on a fasting-mimicking diet investigated as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy and on an association between a plant-rich Mediterranean diet and lower periodontal disease severity and inflammatory marker levels.

Dr Ahmad cautioned that the findings of the present study should not be generalised to other patient populations or to other omega-3 supplements. Further research is needed to help determine whether the findings translate into long-term periodontal and cardiovascular benefits and whether similar effects are observed in broader patient populations.

The study, titled “Omega-3 fatty acids and oral and systemic inflammation: A secondary analysis of a randomized trial in patients with coronary artery disease”, was published in the August 2026 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

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